Dog attacks 2 kids walking to school, then bystander rushes to help, California cops say
A dog attacked two children as they walked to school, California police say.
The children were en route to school in Victorville when an “unknown dog” approached and bit them the morning of Feb. 29, the city’s police department said in a news release.
While one child was able to flee, the other, a 7-year-old girl, was not and ended up with multiple injuries, police said.
A bystander living in the area rushed out to help, police said.
“I found the first thing that I found, which was my broom,” the bystander, Maria Hernandez, told NBC Los Angeles.
Hernandez told the outlet she pulled the girl away while keeping the dog at bay with her broom.
The woman scared the dog away, according to police.
The girl was taken to a hospital for her injuries, police said.
Victorville is about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
What to know about dog attacks
“Dogs give us comfort, companionship, exercise, entertainment, and unconditional love,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “But it’s important to remember that any dog can bite, even trusted family pets.”
Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the U.S., and nearly 800,000 of those people need medical attention, according to the CDC.
Any dog can bite if they feel scared or nervous, or if they want to be alone. You should never approach a dog that seems angry or scared, the CDC said.
If an unfamiliar dog comes up to you, officials say you should:
Stay calm and be still.
Avoid eye contact with the dog.
Don’t panic or make loud noises. Don’t run.
Say “no” or “go home” in a deep voice. Stand with the side of your body toward the dog.
Slowly raise your hands to your neck and back away slowly.
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